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You did this. You killed them. You’ll get us killed too.
The worst part was, I couldn’t refute any of it. I had done it. I’d gotten Chloe and Tyrone killed, and I’d do it again if it meant this war was over before we lost even more.
Did that make me a bad person? Probably. But Two-Bit was right. Sometimes rulers had to make decisions others couldn’t to protect their territory and their people. What was unfathomable to them was another day’s work for me. I’d forgotten that in the mayhem of Cash’s infiltration, but I wouldn’t forget again. I’d damage my own city if it meant the cockroach would be squashed with it.
Lifting my chin, I stared them all down. “You offered Cash a truce, and he broke it. Are you going to let it slide, or are you going to help me punish him?”
Unsurprisingly, Kieran was the first to offer support. He’d learned immediately that I was no longer playing games when I’d woken him up still warm from his daddy’s blood. “I’m in.”
“You know my answer,” Kosas said quietly.
Two-Bit looked at Griz, then back at me with a sigh. “It can’t be worse than what’s happened. The Vipers are in.”
All that was left were Haru and Ajilon.
My old friend stared out the window. “It’s obvious we made a mistake with Cash. He was never going to leave us alone.”
“Does that mean you’re in?” Grey asked.
Ajilon nodded. “This city has been my home for a long time. I won’t see it go to a madman.”
And then there was one.
“We can’t piss off a hornet. We either kill him, or we die trying.” Haru’s steely expression gave nothing away, but there was more tension in him than I’d ever seen.
“We won’t,” I promised. “When it’s time to take him out, it’s him or us.”
With a steady nod, he agreed, and a wave of relief nearly bowled me over.
I did it. I finally got them on my side. Part of me was pissed it had taken so long, but I didn’t care when it got me one step closer to eradicating Cash and his Aces.
We’re coming for you, asshole.
Two-Bit leaned back in his chair. “I’m assuming you have a plan after all this.”
“We attack,” Nate said.
Kosas glared at Nate, and once again, I was glad I’d brought Dominic to meet with him earlier. It was clear that the sins of the brother were getting laid at Nate’s feet. With a snarl, he twisted to glare at me. “You expect us to fight with your fuckboy at the helm?”
“No, I expect you to fight under me, but you have to admit Nate’s a good asset to have.”
“If he doesn’t stab us in the back the way he did his brother,” he muttered.
Deep breaths, Mari. He’s grieving and lashing out. Even so, it was hard for me to rein in the urge to put him in his place for good.
“I’m going to give you that one shot since you’ve had a rough day, but I won’t have anyone talk shit about Nate. Certainly not in my presence.”
Kieran shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “We’re aware of your feelings for him, but how do we know he’s loyal? He doesn’t wear your mark.”
“Yes, he does.”
Without my asking, Nate stripped off his tee, tossing it on the table and baring the tattoo on his chest. Dominic pulled the collar of his shirt down low enough to see the top of his crown, while Greyson carefully unbuttoned his shirt to flash his as well. The leaders watched warily as my men stood there, proud and unashamed.
It hit me again, with the three of them sharing their marks like it meant everything to them, how much I loved them. How devoted they were to me. How fucking lucky I was. I’d do whatever it took to make sure they didn’t regret choosing me.
Nate stepped up, planting his palms on the table and keeping steady eyes on Kosas. “I’d die for Mari. Almost did, in fact. Can you say the same when you ignored her warnings? Or do you not agree that your son would still be here if you had listened when she was speaking?”
I expected Kosas to rage out, as he often did. Grief was an uncertain thing, and I didn’t want Nate getting caught in the crossfire. Instead, Kosas dropped his head, and the guilt in that one motion nearly undid me.
